Back in Texas, people often meet with friends for Sunday brunch to catch up on their weeks (especially in Austin, where tangerine-tinged mimosas flow in abundance).  In Germany, however, brunch is a foreign concept.  While practically every retail store is closed as if on holiday, several restaurants don’t open on the “day of rest” until noon or later.

Therefore, my family sometimes visits Starbucks in downtown Wiesbaden after mass to “spice up” their morning, since no other alternatives exist.  We were surprised to find the American coffee company was to open later than expected, so we shuffled about the cobblestone streets hungry and somewhat disappointed.

And then we came across Der Maldaner.

Der Maldaner’s entrance, at 34 Marktstraße in downtown Wiesbaden.

Upon arrival, the café, of kaffeehaus, looks more like a wax museum of mannequins, similar to Madame Tussaud’s.  Two peculiar characters dressed in somewhat garish gowns laugh and stare at passerby with champagne glasses in hand, making Der Maldaner a piquant location.  Once you enter the café, however, the ambience resembles that of a 1920s restaurant.  Imagine Gatsby’s house married Gianni Versace’s Miami mansion, and the interior decorating scheme will come to life.

Palm trees planted under small domes with a pearly finish complement the rose-colored furniture and curtains – very 1920s meets Miami Vice.

The Viennese style café, or kaffeehaus, has been around since 1859. In addition to serving various types of coffees, the café offers breakfasts, pastries, salads, traditional German/Viennese cuisine, and gourmet desserts.

My brother opted for earl gray tea instead of coffee, and the waiters (dressed in black and white suits, as in the olden days) served the homemade tea bag with all the necessary accessories for the perfect cup of tea.

I settled for a cappuccino – a predictable choice, but severely scrumptious. The gentle foam felt like saccharine clouds floating on my tongue.

For brunch, I ordered three scrambled eggs with speck, or a salty ham and shallots. The brötchen tasted fine, and the salad dressing was divine. I highly recommend this plate – it satiated my hunger while giving my tastebuds some excitement.

After our meals, we saw these little marzipan pigs in a glass counter at the café’s entrance. Pigs symbolize luck to Germans, so they present them to friends and family as gifts to wish them good luck in the new year.

Although I was initially stumped at missing out on Starbucks, I’m eternally grateful that we stumbled upon this pearl of a place.  The decor makes Der Maldaner seem pricey, but coffees ranged from 1.50 Euro to 4 Euro, and breakfast platters ranged from 4 Euro to 6 Euro – not bad at all considering the quality and quantity of food provided.  

So, if you’re ever searching for a posh and polished place to eat with an inviting atmosphere, try out Der Maldaner.  There’s a reason why it’s been in business for more than 150 years!

Yours truly,

Jonathan